(HealthDay News) -- Distracted driving -- including driving while talking on the phone, trying to answer the phone or texting -- is a dangerous habit.

The U.S. Department of Transportation offers these suggestions to avoid distractions while driving:

• Never text or talk on your cell phone while you're behind the wheel.
• Turn off the ringer or your phone, and set it out of reach while you're driving.
• Never eat, drink, primp yourself, use a GPS device, read or surf through radio stations or CD tracks while you drive.
• If you happen to call someone who is driving, suggest that the driver call you back upon arrival.